Trocadero Salon

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Business

After nearly 40 years in business, Trocadero Salon looks very much the same as ever. Many of the faces behind the reception desk and hairdressers’ chairs have been there for more than 25 years. Even a few of the clients have been walking through Trocadero’s doors for two or three decades.

“In the generations we have seen in the shop, it’s probably been at least three generations and sometimes we’ve had four,” said Mary Melof, a co-owner who has worked at the salon for 38 years. “It’s very much a family shop.”

Since 1974, Trocadero has provided hair and nail services to clients of all ages. Sharon Kellum, a co-owner and retired hairdresser who worked at Trocadero for more than 30 years, recalled a client bringing in her daughter for her first haircut. Thirty-eight years later, the daughter is still a regular at the salon.

“We’ve watched them grow up, and it makes us feel old a little bit, but we like it,” Melof said.

Rima Deep and Rachel Gaudel are also co-owners along with Kellum and Melof.

In many cases, the salon employees have become part of their clients’ families. Melof said Trocadero hairdressers are frequently invited to weddings, baptisms and bar mitzvahs. Within the salon’s walls, clients share life stories and problems over the sounds of scissors and hairdryers.

“People love to be pampered, but they also like to visit,” Melof said. “We listen to all their problems, and they listen to ours.”

A hair salon is a people-oriented business, and Melof said that managing different personalities can be a “rollercoaster ride” at times. However, she loves making a happy atmosphere for her employees and their clients.

“You’ve got 100-plus people walking [in] through the day — plus you have 15 employees — and everybody has their different personalities and moods,” Melof said. “Thankfully, there have been more great days than bad days. I will definitely say that. Otherwise I wouldn’t have been here so long.”

In October, Trocadero will begin its anniversary celebrations, which will include 40 days of giving away products or services and an event near Thanksgiving to thank their customers. The salon will be recognizing its longtime staff members and customers, as well as inviting former employees and clients to join the celebrations. Melof said that even after 40 years, there is no place she would rather be.

“We’re cruising along, and God has blessed us with never really having to think that hard about it. It’s kind of nice that we’ve been totally blessed,” Melof said. “We’re happy that we were afforded the opportunity to take care of these clients this long. I hope we get to do it another 40.”